The 538-acre Chautauqua Gorge State Forest provides opportunities for informal outdoor recreation such as cross-country skiing, snowshoeing, hiking, biking, primitive camping, fishing and hunting. This state forest also offers a day use area with picnic tables and fire rings, outhouse facilities, and a public parking area. For more information on this area please call the local DEC Office at 716-363-2052.
This property is part of the Chautauqua Gorge watershed area, and part of the reason for the property's purchase is for watershed protection. The northern portion of the property borders the Chautauqua Gorge itself. The State owns very little of the creek bed and the public should be aware they are trespassing if they use the creek bed beyond this point.
There are 8 designated camp sites on Hannum Road adjacent to the day use area. Seven of the sites are primitive tent sites with a rock fire ring. Site #8 is upgraded with a picnic shelter and steel fire ring as well as a gravel parking area.
The day use area has an accessible ¼-mile loop trail that leads around a larch/spruce plantation. The trail is easy to walk and takes about 10 to 15 minutes. There are two stopping areas to observe scenery along the trail. In the fall when the leaves become sparse, a view of the gorge can be seen.
The end of Hannum Road is the beginning of the Fred J. Cusimano Westside Overland Trail that crosses through public and private land within Chautauqua County. Only non-motorized recreation is allowed on the trail. This trail allows hiking, biking, skiing, and snowshoeing only. There is a 1.5 mile loop along the trail, or you can use the bypass trail to traverse through to the Chautauqua County Rails to Trails trail on the eastern boundary of the property.
To access the day use area and camping, you must come from the east end of Hannum Road. View the Chautauqua Gorge State Forest Map for information on parking, campsites, the day use area and the trail.
